A long and often tumultuous campaign came to a climax that many media polls did not predict: a victory for Donald Trump, the controversial presidential candidate for the Republican party, who managed to pull ahead and maintain his lead over the Democrat candidate, Hillary Clinton.

Here is a selection of images that captured the gamut of emotion that emerged from the climatic event, including the reactions of countries and people outside the United. States.

The nation
The nation's first vote is cast in New Hampshire. | AP
Polling station at the Princeton Baptist Church in Princeton, North Carolina
Polling station at the Princeton Baptist Church in Princeton, North Carolina. | REUTERS
Voters wait to cast their ballots in Brooklyn, New York.
Voters wait to cast their ballots in Brooklyn, New York. | AP
Grace Bell Hardison, a 100-year-old woman recently mentioned by U.S. President Barack Obama after attempts were made to purge her from the voter registration list and hence deny her right to vote, receives an
Grace Bell Hardison, a 100-year-old woman recently mentioned by U.S. President Barack Obama after attempts were made to purge her from the voter registration list and hence deny her right to vote, receives an 'I Voted Today' sticker from an election official in Belhaven, North Carolina. | REUTERS
Voters cast their ballots at historic Holley Hall in Bristol, Vermont.
Voters cast their ballots at historic Holley Hall in Bristol, Vermont. | AP
People line up to vote in Philadelphia.
People line up to vote in Philadelphia. | MARGO REED/THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER VIA AP
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in Scottsdale, Arizona. | AFP-JIJI
A Hillary supporter cheers at election night event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A Hillary supporter cheers at election night event in Las Vegas, Nevada. | REUTERS
Clinton supporters at the Jacob Javits Center glass enclosed lobby in New York.
Clinton supporters at the election day rally Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. | AP
A Clinton supporter in New York
A Clinton supporter in New York | REUTERS
Hillary supporters at an election night rally in New York.
Hillary supporters at an election night rally in New York. | REUTERS
A Clinton supporter in Newton, Mass., watches televised election returns during a viewing party on Cinton
A Clinton supporter in Newton, Mass., watches televised election returns during a viewing party on Cinton's alma mater. | AP
Hillary supporters at an election night rally in New York.
Hillary supporters at an election night rally in New York. | REUTERS
A Hillary supporter waits for the final results at an election rally in New York.
A Hillary supporter waits for the final results at an election rally in New York. | REUTERS
Clinton supporters watch the state-by-state returns at an election night rally in New York.
Clinton supporters watch the state-by-state returns at an election night rally in New York. | REUTERS
A Clinton supporter at an election night rally in Manhattan, New York.
A Clinton supporter at an election night rally in Manhattan, New York. | REUTERS